Ever wondered what the scuttlebutt on "chicken guts" was? Whether you're a "fresh fish" or a "top rail skunk," you've come to the right place! These pages focus on Civil War slang and vocabulary, sprinkled with fascinating BooneBits for reports. Some cute, some dangerous, words and phrases used during the 1800s. Many are still in use today. So set your feet up and commence to learning. By-the-by: "Chicken guts" are an officer's gold braiding on his cuffs; and Scuttlebutt is gossip.Cordon Offense is the most requested definition by school kids. Cordon Offense: advance on all fronts, surrounding the enemy.
Page 3 of Civil War Slang Added for the Return Visitor. Check it out!

Why "BooneBunny?" Daniel Boone's legend represents the saga of the American Frontier and embodies the very essence of a pioneer and explorer. You can have your Lewis and Clark, this gal prefers Daniel Boone. [Plus, it sounds kinda cute]. Read my quirky Boone background in a nutshell. Keep in mind Daniel Boone (1734-1820) "t'weren't" around
in the Civil War Era (1861-1865). He had long since met his Maker. Do not be confused. You'll find exciting BooneBits to the left and moreawesome BooneBits great for reports.

Much information on this page graciously donated by Maj. BEARARMS4K.

Civil War Slang and Terms

Confederate Terms

"Smoked Yanks"

Union soldiers cooking over a fire.

"Chicken Guts"

Officer's gold braiding on his cuff.

"Gallinippers"

Insects, mosquitoes.

"Bombproofs"

Term for provost guards/commissaries due to soft life.

"Fighting under the black flag"

Soldiers killing lice.

"Giving the vermin a parole"

Throwing away clothing infected with lice.

"Bull Pit"

Under-arrest confinement area.

"Iron Clad Possum"

An armadillo dinner.

Civil War Slang and Terms

"Bragg's Body Guard"

Body Lice.

"Sunday or Parlor Soldiers"

Insult for soldiers of little merit.

"Jeff Davis' Pets"

Rebel western troops' term for A.N.V.

"Company Q"

Term for the Sick List.

"Hospital Rats"

Person who fakes an illness.

"Worth a Goober"

Something that amounts to a lot.

"Goobers"

Peanuts.

"Buttermilk Cavalry"

Term infantry had for cavalry.

"Web Feet"

Term cavalry had for infantry.

"Fairy Fleet"

Boats carrying trade between sides at Fredricksburg

Abbreviation "I.W."

In For the War.

"Mule"

Meat.

"Top Rail"

First class.

"Greenhorn", "Bugger", "Skunk"

Officer.

"Skeddadle"

Better run!

"Jawings"

Talking.

"Ginned Cotton"

Flower bread.

"Night blindness" "Gravel"

Condition caused by lack of green veggies.

"Horse sense"

Smart, or on the ball.

"Fit to be tied"

Angry.

"Here's your mule"

1.Nonsense expression like: Kilroy was here.
2. Term infantry used to insult cavalry.
Reader Chuck Bryant wrote the infantry
would hold up their feet and say, "Mister,
here's your mule" meaning the infantryman's
feet did the job of transporting the soldier
(like a mule would for the cavalry). The double
insult was also in the fact the cavalry
rode horses, and not mules.